Toxicity hydrophobic metal complexe

Dithiocarbamates and xanthates form particularly stable, neutral complexes with Cu(II), Cd(II) (and also Ni, Hg, Pb), which are membrane permeable and increase the apparent bioaccumulation of these metals [13]. In the series of sulfoxine, oxine, and chloroxine, the hydrophobicity of the neutral and the charged form, as well as of the Cu complex, increases. While the sulfoxine is not hydrophobic and does not modulate copper toxicity [220], the Cu-oxine complex is hydrophobic with an octanol-water partition constant, log Kok, of 1.7 [221] or 2.6 [222]. Chloroxine can be assumed to be even more hydrophobic, but so far its influence on uptake and toxicity has not been investigated. Uptake of Cu2+ into unilamellar liposomes was increased in the presence of 8-hydroxy-chinoline, and decreased again after adding HA [223],... 

There is an abundant research on the interactions of HIOCs and metals with biological interphases, in which organic chemicals and metals are treated independently. However, few studies have considered the role of combinations of HIOCs with metals. There is a particular lack of mechanistic approaches. With regard to the metals, the FIAM has been very successful, but it remains to be shown under which conditions additional interactions, such as partitioning of hydrophobic complexes and uptake of specific complexes, are important for metal uptake and toxic effects. In particular, the role of hydrophobic complexes with both natural and pollutant compounds in natural waters has not yet been fully elucidated, since neither their abundance nor their behaviour at biological interphases are known in detail. 

Literally hundreds of complex equilibria like this can be combined to model what happens to metals in aqueous systems. Numerous speciation models exist for this application that include all of the necessary equilibrium constants. Several of these models include surface complexation reactions that take place at the particle-water interface. Unlike the partitioning of hydrophobic organic contaminants into organic carbon, metals actually form ionic and covalent bonds with surface ligands such as sulfhydryl groups on metal sulfides and oxide groups on the hydrous oxides of manganese and iron. Metals also can be biotransformed to more toxic species (e.g., conversion of elemental mercury to methyl-mercury by anaerobic bacteria), less toxic species (oxidation of tributyl tin to elemental tin), or temporarily immobilized (e.g., via microbial reduction of sulfate to sulfide, which then precipitates as an insoluble metal sulfide mineral). 

Humic substance has a complex structure, comprising a hydrophobic core carrying functional radicals, mainly carboxyls and hydroxyls. Thus, humic substances can react with different products of various chemical functions, and so they interact ecologically with all classes of toxic products such as heavy metals, pesticides, etc. 

Humic and FULVIC acids, along with other organic colloidal materials, are fascinating substances that can have profound environmental consequences. Their abilities to complex radionuclides and toxic metals have been recognized for some time by researchers interested in the migration and mobilization of nuclear and industrial waste at contaminated sites. The micellar properties of humic and fulvic acids also give them the ability to play important roles in the solubilization and transport of hydrophobic pollutants. 

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